Interviews

The Steve Burton Interview – The Young and the Restless

Courtesy/SBTwitter

Daytime fans have been in a tizzy over the last several months following all the developments of just where Daytime Emmy winner, soap superstar and fan favorite, Steve Burton was really headed! First came the news that after 21 years Burton decided to fold his black t-shirt for the last time as loveable mob hit man, Jason Morgan, on General Hospital just when his storyline seemed to be getting good! And in true GH style, the hit man finally took “the hit”, and Jason was shot and dumped into the steely waters at the Port Charles pier. And with that, millions of GH fans were shocked, saddened, and some dissatisfied, that there was not a big emotional payoff for his exit. Now since Jason’s body was never found, and Burton made it known that he was leaving L.A. to move his family to Nashville, it appeared the door would be left open some day for his return.

Fast forward: News breaks, ala TV Guide, that Burton is joining the The Young and the Restless, which then reunites him with his longtime friend and business associate, Jill Farren Phelps, the new executive producer of the number one soap and former GH leader. Within a few short weeks, Burton has signed his deal and appears on the CBS daytime talk show, The Talk, heralding his premiere to CBS Daytime in the role of Dylan McAvoy, the man from Avery’s past! Burton fans become either supportive or angry, and don’t know what to believe, and start to think that perhaps this was Burton’s plan all along when he departed GH.

On-Air On-Soaps chatted with Steve Burton to clarify all the rumors and reports that led Steve to Y&R, to answer some burning questions on many fans minds, and to discuss his brand new role of war veteran Dylan McAvoy! And, as we have seen thus far, it looks as if Burton’s Dylan is quite the instant success! So who will ultimately be the on-screen Y&R love interest for Burton? Is it Jessica Collins (Avery), Sharon Case (Sharon), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), or could it be someone else on the canvas? Steve fills us in!

With a new soap life to develop in Genoa City, Steve also knows it’s bittersweet as GH’s 50th anniversary is just around the corner, and it seems awkward for Jason Morgan not be there. Burton weighs-in on that, and his final days saying goodbye to his beloved cast mates. But as the old adage says, “When one door closes, another one opens.” And the rest of that story is yet to play out! Here now is one of our favorite interviews of all-time with Steve!

MICHAEL:

Steve, let’s go back and talk about your exit from General Hospital first. Did you have a hand in how Jason was written off the canvas? Or, did you say, “I don’t care how you are going to do it?”

STEVE:

Photo Credit: ABC

No, I did not have a hand it. Unbeknownst to every one at the time, there was a period of time where GH and my managers were talking about a fly-in deal. For whatever reasons that did not work out: scheduling wise, time wise, and it was just going on a little too long. So we said, “If it doesn’t work it’s fine, but I am out of here, and it’s OK.” I guess we were at the time also in a second situation, which was people thinking I was never going to leave General Hospital, which I can’t fault them for, because I could see how at times they could think I was the “boy who cried wolf”. It was, “Well he said he was leaving California, and he is selling his house there, but maybe he is not?” But, I was ready to go, and GH just wasn’t jumping on the idea of having me fly in from Nashville. So at that point it was just important to figure out, what is my real end date? And it came down to that. It’s nothing that I chose; it’s what they did. I don’t know if they did it thinking I would be coming back, or, always have that idea out there that, “Well maybe he will come back for a month or two down the road.” I do not fault GH at all. I joke about that I was, “shot and kicked in the water like a dirty dog.” (Laughs) My last tape day was coming up quick, and they had written so far ahead. Story wise, I know Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) and Ron Carlivati (head writer, GH) did what they were capable of doing at the time, considering that my end date was coming up so fast. I am sure if they knew ahead that I was leaving for sure in two months, I am sure they would have had a great send-off for Jason.

MICHAEL:

They did not have a big on-screen send-off, which left many fans upset. One day Jason reunited with his family, and then in an instant he was presumed dead.

STEVE:

Right, they did not have that. I know that Ron Carlivati wants to tell story, and if he had a character leaving and you had two months notice, why wouldn’t you write a great story? You just would! There was nobody at fault for that one, it was just the time was coming up.

MICHAEL:

Did you at least say to Frank and Ron, “Let’s leave the door open” for a possible return somewhere down the line?

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

No, at that time in my mind I was gone. So I did not talk to GH about, “Leave it open, or don’t leave it open.” For the whole fly-in deal after 21 years, I was just trying to hold on. I was figuring, “If I could fly-in and still see my friends at work, and make a little money and live there, maybe that is the best deal.” But at some point, it was time to go and we couldn’t work it out. And that is truly how it was when I left the show.

MICHAEL:

At the point talks broke down, did you feel you had done everything you wanted to do with Jason? He was so front and center to the show for decades!

STEVE:

It’s a tough question. I am sure there are other stories that we could have told, but now having the experience of going to The Young and the Restless, I have the perspective of getting ready for game day, everyday. Before that at GH it is your home. You know your character so well, and it’s not that you don’t do your best, it’s just that you get super comfortable and sometimes it’s better to be uncomfortable again. I have been through a lot of stories on GH. I can’t say if someone had written a new story for Jason, that it wouldn’t have been great. There are such great actors at GH, and we had great relationships, so I am sure there could have been other stories that could have been written, but for me it was time for a change.

MICHAEL:

I want to take this opportunity with you to clarify perceptions and comments I have read and heard from the fans on what appeared to be a sudden about-face after you let it be known you were leaving GH to move to Nashville, but then all of a sudden shortly after that news broke you were coming to Y&R! There was a major backlash from many GH and long time fans.

STEVE:

Courtesy/CBS

Here is what happened: The TV Guide item came out and I could not say anything yet, and that is posted everywhere! But then when the real story came out in TV Guide – that there was a deal that could have been made, but it wasn’t, and we parted ways, and there is no bad blood – that was printed once. I am actor, and for me it was doing what is best for me and my family.

MICHAEL:

There were also many fans speculating that you just did not want to work for Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati, and that was one of the reasons you left. Is that at all true?

STEVE:

For me, it was about getting to Tennessee, that was my first priority and it has been for seven years. If I did not want to work with Frank and Ron, why would I want to do a fly-in deal? It was not about that, and quite frankly, after being there for 21 years, and I am very blessed to work as much as I did, I was actually OK with working less. I have two kids and a wife, but I want to be home. So for me going from working with Bob Guza (Ex-head writer, GH) where I was there four or five days a week, to more recently two days some times, I was happy! I actually walked up to Frank Valentini and went, “Frank, thank you! I am actually getting to spend a lot of time with my family.” He then said, “Well, don’t get used to it!” (Laughs) Now, of course, that is what all executive producers have to say. There are so many rumors out there, and I am glad you are asking, but as I said, at the point I was leaving, the story was good for Jason!

MICHAEL:

There was good story! Jason just got his son and back with Sam. So fans were shocked when you truly decided to leave. How was it on your final tape day at GH? We all saw the great twitter pic of you waving goodbye in Jason’s black t-shirt in front of the General Hospital studios sign. Was it hard for you to say goodbye to your cast mates?

STEVE:

Courtesy/SBTwitter

Are you kidding me? Listen, we have such close relationships with these people, and friendships, and an acting connection also. It’s almost like you have double the relationship in a strange way. I can tell you that Maurice Benard (Sonny) was not to be found that day when I left. He was there in the morning, but when things got serious he was gone. I am sure it was tough for him. It was very, very difficult. My wife and kids were not there that day, and so that kind of made it tougher and more ironic, because I got to the set of General Hospital by myself in 1991, and I left by myself. I did not want a big goodbye, that is just not what I wanted to do. It was very difficult, though, I can tell you that.

MICHAEL:

You were not on the Lead Actor ballot for the 40th Annual Daytime Emmys this year. Why not?

STEVE:

I did not submit myself for the Daytime Emmys this year, and I said, “No thanks.” My mind was totally somewhere else, and it was about, again, getting to Tennessee and moving on at the time.

MICHAEL:

You know that many wish things could somehow work out that Jason would return in time for at least a guest appearance for GH’s 50th anniversary! It’s hard to see you not there with all the big names returning, when you were such a huge part of its success.

STEVE:

I guess that it is a sticky situation now, as one could imagine. ABC has not asked me, and I don’t know if they would ask me knowing that I am over at CBS, and then I would have to ask CBS if that would be OK. I just think that would be awkward, weird, and a “nothing good can come from it” conversation from anybody’s side. I don’t think it’s about them not wanting me there. I think if I wasn’t at Y&R, I probably would have gotten a call to come back over there. It’s just the situation has put a little kink in the armor.

MICHAEL:

It’s sad for the fans, and the legacy of GH.

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

It’s sad … and sad for me. GH was a huge part of my life. I will always talk about the people there. I would love to be there for the 50th anniversary, but I don’t know that the situation now is going to allow that to happen. I will be the first one to wish them Happy 50th.

MICHAEL:

Let’s talk about another circulating rumor … that your decision to go to The Young and the Restless was the plot all along, once you knew Jill Farren Phelps was now steering the ship in Genoa City as the new executive producer of the number one show. What would you say to that?

STEVE:

It’s interesting. First of all, everyone knows my relationship with Jill. Hands down there is not a person (well probably somewhere) that does not know that I am huge fan of hers and have great respect for her. I am sure that as soon as Jill got the job as the executive producer of The Young and the Restless, people put two and two together immediately. However, that was not the reason I left GH at all, because if I would have gotten an offer to do a movie or another TV show, I would not have been available to do Y&R, and that is the truth. It was not a plan all along. Everybody knew, including ABC, that there could be a possibility to join Y&R and Jill, if I walked off that lot. That’s common sense. What people put together was…. “Well, Jill is over at Y&R and so he is just going to leave GH and go there.” That was just not the case. I wanted to work out a deal over at GH, and it did not work out. It’s just like a sports player … when a deal does not work out with his team, there might be another team out there that might want him.

MICHAEL

Soaps are truly like baseball teams nowadays … this is so true! Everyone seems to pop up somewhere else!

STEVE:

Photo Credit: Wenn Photo

Well, that is the thing! There is so much stuff that goes on behind-the-scenes at soap operas that I don’t even know about, and also on a corporate level. So whether one team can make a deal and the other can’t, we don’t know those reasons why or why not. We the public, are always given, “Oh, it’s budget.” Obviously, there are more things that go along with that than, “It’s just budget!” We don’t get definitive answers to why things can’t happen this way, or that way. And so, if one team can’t make a deal and I am out there and the other team can, why would I not do that?

MICHAEL:

Still other fans thought that your decision to leave General Hospital and move to Nashville meant you were retiring. So when you showed up in the press and back on TV so fast on The Young and the Restless, they assumed your word was not good. But if I recall, you never said you were retiring!

STEVE:

First of all, I never said I would never go back to daytime. People said, I said I was retiring! I never said that! I am working on more things now than I have worked on ever. It was about getting my family to Nashville. And the whole thing with Jill happened so fast. Just so this is clear; when that story broke with Michael Logan in TV Guide, I did not have a deal with Y&R yet. I did not even have an official offer yet from CBS. It was during the Christmas holiday when no one was around. Sony and my manager had talked before the holidays. When I got a call after New Years, and they did the deal in one day, that showed me something. And then they said, “You are going to appear on The Talk, and you start taping next week.”

MICHAEL:

It has been reported that before you were given the role of Dylan McAvoy on Y&R, that the role was up for grabs and they were seeing other actors for the part. What did Jill, Sony and CBS say to you to start the ball rolling to get you back to daytime, in regard to the schedule you were looking for?

STEVE:

Courtesy/CBS

They definitely went out and talked to other actors about that role. There were talks about, “If I would come back to daytime and what it would take. How can we make this work for everybody?” Everybody wanted to make this situation work, and again, I have never done this kind of deal where I am flying in to work. I tried it at GH when Jill was there for at little bit, but I was in a different headspace then. But now, I am flying in and out. We will see how it goes. I don’t want to put them in a situation where it’s not working for them, or for me, and they feel the same way. They know I want to be home 4-5 days in a row. Then I can go work for 2-4 days in a row, if that is the case, and then be home again. I am not going to be working for long stretches of time. Everyone is kind of being flexible, because we don’t know what the true schedule will look like. I worked five days a week on GH. It was a lot of work. Now, I actually can spend more time with my kids this way, then that way. My kids are now 9 and 6-years-old. We are at those years where they are doing a lot of activities, and we are still home schooling. We like the flexibility of saying, “Hey you guys, why don’t you come to L.A. with me for the week?” Then they can hop on a plane! It’s awesome.

MICHAEL:

I have got to tell you, I got a bit nervous the other day on the Y&R episode where Dylan bumps his head after his car crash with Sharon! I went, “Wait! Haven’t I seen this somewhere before, like on GH?”

STEVE:

I laughed! I saw that on Twitter and I had not put two and two together! (Laughs) I have not seen myself on the Y&R air shows yet.

MICHAEL:

What did Jill say to you about the role of Dylan McAvoy that intrigued you to sign on?

STEVE:

Courtesy/CBS

Jill explained the character, and I got on the phone with her and Y&R head writer Josh Griffith, and said, “Look, I can’t be anything like Jason.” I know as an actor I am going to bring certain traits and things I do to the character, and that it is going to remind people of Jason, and that is fine. I played that character for so long and I love him. Jill and Josh are kind of leaving it up to me to form him within the boundaries that they have set, and to “Do what you think and bring what you do to it.” That is what Jill wanted me to do. She worked with me for so long, and closely. So they were like, “This is the guy. Just go make him who Dylan is.” I think it’s easier having an experienced actor doing that, than hiring someone you didn’t know. Christian LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R) is someone I love as a performer, and if I was casting something and I know Christian, and I saw the basic casting breakdown from the casting director, I would hire him, and go, “Just go do what you do.” At Y&R, Josh will be on the floor and asking questions. Like when Jessica Collins (Avery, Y&R) and I were doing those big emotional scenes, he was telling us things and I would go, “Really, Josh? OK.” Jessica and I are supposed to be forming this relationship here and it happened so fast. So it was a crazy whirlwind … unbelievable!

MICHAEL:

In all my years in daytime, I have never seen a soap star receive a welcome like you received on CBS’ The Talk. Did you know about the masses of confetti that were going to fall on you in celebration of your arrival to the network?

STEVE:

Courtesy/CBS

Just watch my expression on the tape, and you will know! (Laugh) They told me they might have some confetti. Listen, I am not the guy who wants the big to-do; it’s so unlike me. I did not want to say “no” at the time, because they have been bending over backward for me. So I said to CBS Daytime V.P. Angelica McDaniel, “Angelica, I don’t know about this … with the confetti… it just feels like it might be a little too much. It’s not me.” So then I go meet with the producer of The Talk, who assures me it’s just a little confetti. I say, “Listen; make sure it does not get stuff in my hair, OK? That’s your job to make sure I don’t have seventeen pieces of confetti stuck in my hair!” (Laughs) You know like when it would snow on General Hospital? All the fake snow would get stuck in all of our hair! (Laughs) That is what I am thinking at this point – how many times have I had snowflakes stuck in my hair (Laughs). Did I expect that amount of confetti to fall down on The Talk? No! That was not just a little confetti … that was a freaking explosion! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

So you did not have any idea either that the ladies of The Talk would present you with your official CBS work badge, the welcome basket, etc?

STEVE:

I had no idea about the CBS badge or the welcome basket, or anything. That’s now how I think. I understood why CBS did it, because it’s a big deal. I get it. It’s so strange for me, because I have never been one for all this publicity. They have been so gracious to me, and it was so overwhelming that they would do something like that! Then, I almost got tackled by The Talk co-host, Sheryl Underwood (Laughs). She visited Y&R recently and I had to say, “Don’t jump on me!” (Laughs) It was an overwhelming first five weeks back in L.A. for me.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Ratings for Y&R, the week of your arrival and after, showed a significant increase in viewers. So let it be said, you were a big reason for the that, plus the show has been getting its groove back, and things seem to be starting to gel there.

STEVE:

It’s always a team effort. I think infusing new blood into a place is always a good thing, if the team is cohesive. The cast has been great! They have been very welcoming. I have had a great time with everybody there.

MICHAEL

How is working with your on-screen new love, or really ex-love, Jessica Collins (Avery, Y&R)?

STEVE:

She is great and awesome. We have had a good first five weeks working together. I am sure it’s like any work place; they have known each other for 20 years and I am the new guy. I don’t have any baggage there, and it’s been fantastic working with everyone.

MICHAEL:

Were you at all intimated walking through the doors, the hallways, and the sets of The Young and the Restless for the first time?

STEVE:

Courtesy/CBS

I don’t know if I was intimidated, sort of speak. You’ve got to bring your A-game there, because there are very high expectations set; whether directly or indirectly on the situation of Jill being there, and the change there, and then bringing me on. With change there is a lot of expectation. The people over there couldn’t have been more embracing.

MICHAEL:

You and Joshua Morrow (Nick) are getting a lot of play with your hilarious video spoof of Joshua showing you around the CBS studios on your first day!

STEVE:

We wanted to do something, so we kind of improvised it. We did the video and then the Skype thing. I have known Josh for a long time, but we just haven’t talked for the last 15 years, but we used to hang out back in the day. I knew him and Christian, and I knew a lot of the guys at B&B. It is strange though – you are at ABC and General Hospital your whole life. You are totally going to another network and that is always strange, but what was great was I already kind of knew people there, so it wasn’t like I was a complete fish out of water. I was definitely nervous. I did not want to be too much like Jason Morgan with the mannerisms, and I was over thinking things. Then I thought to myself, “Just be simple and act, and do your job, and hopefully it will all turn out correctly.”

MICHAEL:

Does Dylan have a wardrobe? Please confirm this! (Laughs)

STEVE:

He has an extensive wardrobe! I will be in more than two things, for sure! (Laughs) Dylan is the son of a blue-collar guy. He is an architect, and his dad had a construction company that he had to take over because his dad got sick.

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

MICHAEL:

Oh, so this is good news! There is a dad out there that could be coming on to the show soon?

STEVE:

The dad is someone who is off camera right now, however he will be on camera! People have said what you have said to me, “Oh, you look younger on the show!” I think it’s that I am excited for a new chapter in my life, and to work at Y&R, and to work on a new character. I have a great life right now, but I just have to say, I do miss my GH peeps!

MICHAEL:

So then you had some of your first scenes with Sharon Case (Sharon Newman)! How is Sharon to work with? Now, Dylan is going to work on a project for Sharon’s home. I see a big ole’ mess with Dylan/Avery/Nick/Sharon here!

STEVE:

(Laughs) Good storytelling! Sharon Case is actually very fun, and she makes me laugh. So half the time in scenes where I am laughing, I am really laughing at Sharon! She has that personality where she makes me laugh. I think that is why people have been saying on Twitter that we have a very comfortable and easy relationship and light about us on-screen, which is great.

MICHAEL:

I am assuming Dylan is suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) being a war veteran. There was a flashback war scene that Dylan was remembering while laying in the hospital bed after the car accident. Dylan relives “Sully” short for “Sullivan” being shot after he told the soldier to try to get to the gun! Dylan then wakes up in a cold sweat calling for him!

STEVE:

Yeah, it’s a whole other side to him that viewers are going to get to see, plus his relationship with his dad. You will be getting glimpses of who he is over the next couple weeks.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

What did you think of the Dylan/Avery/Nick scene where Avery chooses Nick?

STEVE:

I like how they wrote that. Here we were, three adults making an adult decision because you often don’t get that on a soap opera, where Dylan is saying, “I am going to respect you enough that if you are with this guy, then you get to make the choice, whether it rips me apart or not, go ahead.” So then Avery chooses Nick and Dylan says, “OK, but I am just going to hang out in town and pick up some work, hope you don’t mind.” (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Later, Avery asks Dylan if he is sticking around Genoa City, and Dylan never really answered her that directly.

STEVE:

He still loves Avery. He was bringing a ring with him to ask her to marry him. You just can’t get rid of those feelings for someone in one day! There is always a connection there.

MICHAEL:

Yeah, but then there is Sharon Newman. Watch out! Sharon sleeps with all the men on the canvas!

STEVE:

Yeah, that’s what I hear! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Duffimages.com

How is working with the incomparable Michelle Stafford (Phyllis)?

STEVE:

I love working with Michelle Stafford. She is awesome! I think I had four of five scenes with her. She is an amazing actress. They are not short on very good actors over there!

MICHAEL:

So Phyllis is pissed off at her sister for getting her claws into Nick. So this will get quite tricky and interesting to see how she pulls Dylan into this.

STEVE:

All I know is that I was on set when they had some scenes about the situation with the three of us, and Michelle and Jessica were awesome in them!

MICHAEL:

Perhaps, Phyllis will be the next woman for Dylan?

STEVE:

I don’t know. But, what I can tell you is there is going to be a little twist in the works in the coming weeks between Dylan and Avery, and Dylan, and who ever the fans think I should be with, or not be with. I can tell you it’s going to be a nice little surprise. It’s a good one! It was kind of out of left field, too! When I read the script I was like, “What?” Who is this woman first of all that I am having scenes with?” (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

What would you like to say to the fans who berated you about an opportunity to work on Y&R?

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

I totally get why they had that first reaction to the news. I had just gone on a Port Chuck Farewell Tour where people were saying, “Well, you just left GH to spend time in Tennessee with you family, and now you are on Y&R?” I totally understand why people had that reaction. They have watched me for 21 years on GH and people associate me with Jason, whether I am an actor or not. That is just how it goes. I think now that more of the story has come out, the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt General Hospital or throw them under the bus. Now that more of the story came out of how things did go down, people are understanding kind of the whole story. You need all the pieces to the puzzle to make a judgment.

MICHAEL:

What would you like to say to the fans that have stood by you through thick and thin?

STEVE:

The main thing is that I want to thank the fans who stood by me, even when the news of me going to Y&R first came out. There were a lot of fans who said, “We are fans of you Steve, and we are coming with you, no matter where you go we are coming with you.” Obviously, that meant the world to me. With social media these days, and in our society, things can get blown out of proportion. I know a lot of the fans who know me as a person, understood that this was to be the best thing for me and my family. They understood: “He is an actor. It’s another job opportunity. Why wouldn’t he do it if Y&R could work out a deal, and GH couldn’t?” Sometimes I think people think that I need to and should be Jason forever. It’s been a blessing and curse to be at GH for so long and play the same character for so long, because people always look at me as that character. I knew that going to Y&R, it could be a problem. But I wanted to take on the challenge, and that is what we do as performers.

Photo Credit: Jim Warren

MICHAEL:

Now looking back, do you wish you could have handled or delivered the news of your deciding to appear on The Young and the Restless a little differently, so as to not get such a knee-jerk reaction from some fans?

STEVE:

The fans for the most part have been fantastic. Look, in a perfect world, I wish the deal would have been done with Y&R and the fans could have heard it personally from me first. When something is leaked or put out there, then you are on the defensive. And I don’t need to be defensive about my decision. That is why I did not go on Twitter with the news right away. And of course, I wanted the fans to know the truth of how it went down and why it went down, but again, I did not say anything for almost 9 days. Yeah, I am sure it could have gone down a different way and that would’ve been great, but a lot of people are tuning into Y&R now for the first time, so I have heard! I have also heard people who used to watch Y&R are tuning back in. So I think overall the fans have been very generous and gracious to me. GH’s JaSam and Liason fans have been really cool, too. I know there was a fan battle between those two for a long time, that Michael you were often in the middle of. But they have all been gracious and I appreciate that. I don’t think this would have been this smooth of a transition if I did not have that fan support.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

Speaking of GH favorite couples, what did you think of one of your final storylines which involved Michael Easton (John McBain, GH) coming into the Jason and Sam love story as a potential spoiler to the relationship?

STEVE:

I liked when Michael Easton and Roger Howarth (Todd) came on to General Hospital from One Life to Live. Obviously, I was at a point in my life and in my career that I was not threatened by two other guys coming in. Earlier in my career, I may have been threatened. That is just how the world goes. That is probably what your mind-set is when you are younger. But I like the new blood, and I like Michael and I like Roger. I didn’t mind the whole McBain/Sam/Jason triangle. I just thought; just don’t make it about something that didn’t happen on our show. The only thing I ever said was, “If you want to break us up, great. Just do it in a way that is justifiable.” I am all about drama. I am on a soap opera. If you want to break us up, and have us find our way back to each other, awesome. But I wanted it to be a valid, as opposed to the fact that Michael and Kelly worked on another show together. It was tough saying goodbye to Kelly Monaco (Sam). I worked with her for a very long time. It’s still weird not seeing her every day.

MICHAEL:

To clarify, why did you decide to move to Nashville in the first place? Why Music City?

STEVE:

I did a movie in Nashville in 2000. We just fell in love with the area, and the people, and then we would come back and forth visit friends we met, and then Scott Reeves (Steven, GH) being into country music said, “I am going to Nashville.” It’s been a tangled web for both of us, of homes in Nashville, and selling houses, and, “we are going, we are not going, OK, one last try.” And the one last try was in June of this past year when I put my house on the market in LA and it sold within in four weeks. I love it in Nashville, and love the country, and being outdoors. The kids love it, and it is just a bit more relaxed lifestyle than being in L.A.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/CBS

You just finished coming off the road with your band, “Port Chuck”! Will that even continue now that you are in Genoa City? Hmmm. (Laughs)

STEVE:

We said that we just had our “Farewell Tour” over the last couple weeks, because we just don’t know. We don’t know our schedules, our dark weeks, who is staying on shows, who is not. It was too hard to say we are going to do another tour. If anything, we might try to do some weekend shows. And also, I am not in Port Charles anymore, so we were thinking of renaming the band, “Young Chuck”, (Laughs) … or we just might lose the “Port” and just call it, “Chuck”! (Laughs)

Leave Adam and Chelsey alone, love them together. Go after Sharon, Dylan. You make a great team and get Sharon squared away without Adam hovering.

Wendy replied March 1st, 2013 at 1:26 pm

I hate Chelsea. Sorry but Sharon and Adam are so in love they are the true super couple of the show.

Jason replied March 10th, 2013 at 6:16 pm

Cat is out of the bag!!! Looks like Chelsea is the one going to be with and trap Dylan. I wish the Chelsea character was gone from this show. MCE was so much better on AMC as Annie. I am however so psyched to here that Sharon and Dylan are siblings. They both have the St. Christopher’s patron of travel. Sharon needs a brother!!! :0

CARL replied February 26th, 2013 at 12:35 pm

DAMN! MICHAEL! WHY ARE YOU SAYING SHARON SLEEPS WITH EVERYONE TO WATCH OUT!!!! I DO NOT THINK SO! SHARON ONLY LOVES WITH ALL HER HEART TO ONLY A FEW! I CAN THINK OF OTHERS ON THIS SHOW WHO SLEEP AROUND WITH EVERYONE. LIKE NIKKI,VICTORIA THEY SHARE MEN ABOUT 4. PHYLLIS SLEEPS WITH ANYTHING WITH A PULSE AND VICTOR AND NICK ARE MAN WHORES!!!!1LEAVE SHARON ALONE BULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved in an a second Avery with Dylan. However they will not be a favorite of mine like the sizzle Sharon and Adam have. Or that Drucilla and Neil had Good luck Dylan your going to need it over at Y&R

Mathew replied February 27th, 2013 at 11:10 pm

I think it will be fantastic that Sharon and Dylan turn out to have the same father. Great Idea.

Jason replied March 1st, 2013 at 1:29 pm

It would be the best news if Sharon and Dylan do have the do have the same Father. Sharon needs family. Bill Bell would love this I feel. Sharon could have a loving brother. Sharon and Adam need to marry and have a son . A little Newman to carry the name for Adam. I do not like Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Michael for doing these interviews

Scott replied March 3rd, 2013 at 5:46 pm

The new writers are genius to make Sharon and Dylan have the same father!!!!!!! It is a fantastic idea! Now Sharon will have a big brother to walk her down the aisle to Adam.

I hope Dylan is Sharons half brother. They could have the same father and not know it. That would be classic bill bell writing at its best. Sharon has no one in her corner and she is such a major character. Just love Sharon and Adam the new super couple to take over the rains of Victor and Nikki. One question! WHY oh why would Chelsea a common criminal ever have the heir for a Newman. I don’t like her or respect her for her past as a women and gave away her son. Shame on her

Boy is Burton eating sour grapes. GH is so much better now that he and his borg character are gone. Sam is finally paired with an actor that has emotions in his characters. Burton wanted to be more important than he was and he forget that everyone is replaceable. GH is finally no longer the Jason and Sonny show and it is watchable tv again.

I am sure he is sore that they killed his Jason off and the show never missed a beat. The ratings are up with the new stories and GH is a much better show. I guess he maybe has learned his lesson don’t say your leaving when your hoping to stay because you might give people a good idea to get rid of you.

I think the problem was with General Hospital. I don’t think he is eating sour grapes right now. He can move around and do other things and be with family. Where as on General Hospital they put him on the front burner and was working five days a week with basically no time off. He said in a interview before that he wanted to move his family to Tennessee a long time ago, but due to the housing market they couldn’t sell their house. And out of nowhere they were able to sell their house in L.A, and he wanted to move with his family and General Hospital wouldn’t give him that option of flying back and forth. I am glad that he moved to Y&R because his character is great on that show. I hope they continue to develop his character!!!!

What would he have to possibly be sour about?? I believe that interview was candid and honest. The man is an ACTOR who has a real life and real family he has chosen to put first. He is a great actor and if Y&R didn’t snatch him up someone else would have for a movie ect. I think the fact that he answered all these questions that he’s surely answered a hundred times before so honestly is really awesome. He was great on GH and almost everyone misses him and his character who was anything but boring! I watch both shows and I for one am glad to see him on screen no matter what character he is playing. I wish him and his family every blessing! People that are so nasty and critical need to get a life!

I agree with Michelle. I was sad to see him leave GH but am glad to see him now on Y&R. I like his new character. He is so cool!!!
Good luck to him &his family. I wish you all the best..

Ash replied February 26th, 2013 at 4:55 pm

Last time I checked I saw 1.8 and 1.9′s. The little bump they pulled out is due to the vets. Only a horrible writer can take a show that once had a young man die of AIDS and turn it into fantasy land where you have vampires who drink blood, fly, and can live forever. GH will always be a joke in the soap world, which is why they can’t compete with Y&R.

I dont know what the hell this BOOPP is talking about but I’m getting so dam sick n very tired of this VAMPIRE shit on GH & Steve Burton never once tried to be better then anyone he was just awsome at his character & Sonny & jason made an awsome team N if I were you I’d check the dam ratings again cause the rating have never been so dam LOW with this VASMPIRE SHIT going on…..jason is very well missed & I’m sorry to say but I don’t like him on Y&R it’s just not the type of role for him…

Great Interview. I still think Burton had a beef working under Cartini, just an instinct. I tend to believe he would still be there if Guza and Phelps were around. Anyway good luck to him. His lack of presence has not had an impact on GH’s ratings. Just the opposite.

I agree I think he was used to being treated with kid gloves like a star and Cartini treated him like all the other actors. I don’t think he could adjust to the show not revolving around him. On the other hand Maurice was a team player and has adjusted just fine to the changes.

James of course he would that is a no brainer mark my words in a few months it will be the Steve Burton Show not Y&R.

Michelle replied February 25th, 2013 at 6:30 pm

And you know this how?? You work at GH right?

Beth replied February 25th, 2013 at 10:12 pm

Michelle…….Kay says that because as anyone that has followed GH for any length of time knows, that is JFP’s M.O. The ONLY way this will not happen, is if Sony puts Tight reins on her. This is just the way she works….and I have been AWARE of her since Santa Barbara days..

Betty replied February 27th, 2013 at 9:21 am

ITA…..if Phelps was still there, he would not have left GH. Under Valentini, it was a whole new and different system working for him and IMO Steve did not like the system. I don’t think family time and moving had anything to do with him leaving. His schedule for family time hasn’t changed much on Y&R. He flew back and forth on GH and he’s doing the same with Y&R. He waited until his contract was up and he was out of there. Steve didn’t want a deal, he wanted out.

Well said Betty like I said he will probably fit in fine at Y&R but if she puts him in everyone’s storyline that will bother me.I think everyone is making much ado about nothing including myself. I do have to admit the war flashbacks were so cheesey JG please stop, those of us who are ex military are offended.

He is such a good guy! I am so sad to not have him on GH as Jason… but I am so happy he has the chance to play a new character, have a job, spend more time with his family, and live where he wants too! I have watched him on Y&R and he seems excited about playing someone new… it kind of shows somehow. Off the set it’s been fun to see him and Josh play around. It looks like he is happy… he’s doing great on Y&R… ratings are up for Y&R… it’s all good! Steve will always be one of my favorite actors and GH is my favorite soap… maybe he will be back… someday! In the meantime.. have fun and do great work Steve!!!

Thanks Michael for another great interview!!! You are the best!!! When do we get another podcast? Miss them!

Love Steve Burton!!!!! Loved him as Jason on GH and love him as Dylan on Y&R. Weather he goes back to GH are not I’m just glad as a fan that he’s working. And if Y&R gives him more time w/ his family than that what matters. So whatever show he’s on I’ll be watching. Cause I’m a true fan!!!!!

So I guess from the looks of it TIIC aren’t going to go the Shylan route which is a damn shame, Sharon and Steve have so much chemistry, knowing TIIC and how Chelsea has become their new favorite pet she will be his love interest. Chelsea is the new superwoman who can do everything.

What a great interview. I enjoyed it. I miss JaSam everyday. And for me, they’ll always live on. He’s doing wonderful on Y&R and I support him wholeheartedly, just like I would support the other GH actors as well, should other opportunities open. Thanks again for the interview!

Thanks for this great interview. I never understood the backlash Steve got when it came out he was going to Y&R. If you actually listened to what he said in interviews he never said he was retiring just that he was leaving to move his family to Nashville and taking 3 months to spend with his family then go from there, which is what he did. It was clear to me that he intended to go back to work and it was clear by his leaving that it was because GH couldn’t work out a schedule, not because he didn’t want to continue working there. I think this time off was good for Steve. He looks so happy and relaxed now. Do I wish GH would have figured out a way to allow Steve to fly-in while he was gone and getting his family settled…YES! because I am and will always be a Jasam fan but above that I am a Steve fan and will always support him (even if it breaks my Jasam heart). Of course a part of me will always hope that in time Steve will return to GH as Jason, even if it is to just reunite with his wife and son and they all ride off leaving Port Charles behind. However, I am enjoying his new character Dylan and looking forward to watching Steve develop his character.

After reading all the interview, it is just sad knowing that GH/ABC wouldn’t work
out a schedule that Steve needed. It’s nice he wants to be with his family more.
But, is Y&R could work out a schedule for our beloved Steve, why couldn’t GH!!
That made so many of his massive fan base extremely upset. We lost our 21 year
beloved Jason Morgan. He finally had it all. We fans waited 9 years for the JaSam
love story to have their marriage. They finally marry and have this adorable little boy,
who Jason & Sam wanted so much. Then they reunite together and he’s killed off???
We fans were devastated. We’ve loved Steve/Jason/JaSam so much for all his years
at GH. I am very happy he got a schedule he needed for his family. But I really miss
Jason and JaSam on GH very much. Just hearing Steve speak so well of Kelly Monico
and how he does miss seeing her every day has tears pouring down my face. Silly since
it’s only a soap. But I’ve watched GH for decades now, and have always loved Jason esp.
loved him so much with Sam. Their chemistry was electric the first day they met, and kept
being so electric their whole 9-10 years together. So I wish Steve the vest in life. But down
deep, I’m still hoping one day he’ll return home to GH, Sam & his little son Daniel………

Thank you’s to both Michael & Steve for this great, candid interview! Like Steve said, those of us who “know” him, totally understand and support the choices he’s made career-wise AND personally in the past year! As much of a die hard JaSam fan as I am & will always be, Steve taking on the role of Dylan McAvoy on Y&R made me realize that I am a Steve Burton fan/supporter first & foremost. I’m SO thrilled to have him back on my TV screen again! Like I said to my Mom the other day, I would watch Steve Burton recite the alphabet on Sesame Street, if it meant getting to see him on TV again! The fact that I’m already invested in his character (and admire the choices Steve is making as an actor, for his character) & the characters/actors he’s interacting with on Y&R is just icing on the cake! I will savor EVERY moment of Steve’s time on Y&R & if/when that comes to an end, I will support him in whatever his next business venture/life adventure may be!

On a side note, I hope that “the band formerly known as Port Chuck” continues to ROCK ON. Steve, Scott, Bradford & Brandon and their back up band are INCREDIBLY talented & put on one heck of an awesome, energetic show! Seeing/hearing them live is absolutely worth the cross country trip…even in the dead of Winter!

I’m with you Laurie on I’d watch anything if it has Steve on it. I too hope that Port Chuck or whatever they want to call themselves does not stop completely. I’ve only seen them once and that is nearly not enough. I had one of the best times of my life at that show

Well Chris the actor Michael Fairman who plays Murphy must have done something that did not please JFP he has been on one episode since she came over to Y&R. Did they not work together on GH or was that before she came over there? Listen I have no problem with where SB works I just do not like a drama built around one character, I love MS & SC but under MAB they were sometimes on too much you have lots of talent over there use it.

For those critical of Steve, none of you know him personally. Think what you will, dont let facts confuse ur bias! Steve gets the last laugh, if GH wants him to return later appeasing the fans, they will have to give him the taping schedule he wanted to begin with! Otherwise, he has what he has what he wanted, work on his schedule, higher pay ans on the number one Soap!!!!_

Great interview!! Loved hearing Steve’s true story on his exit from GH and his new role on Y & R. I wish him all the best! I would most definitely follow him in whatever show he appeared on but I am a huge fan of Y & R. Love ya Steve!! :):)

All of the idiots that keep saying that Steve left because he wanted to be the star of the show, and he wasn’t getting what he wanted are freakin crazy! I believe that Steve was actually wanting the opposite, why would he be asking to work fewer days a week? Think about it, to be the star on any soap, you have to be willing to work 5 days a week, something Steve wasn’t willing to do anymore. GH sucks without Jasam, However I am a huge Steve Burton fan and I will follow him where ever he goes. The only problem that I have is that I love Kelly Monaco as well, and I can not stomach even one more scene with her and McUgly. I hate it when he even looks at baby Danny. Jasam fans finally got their Jason/Sam baby, who is as beautiful as the two of them are and bam, Jason’s gone. FV should have done whatever he had to to keep Steve on the show, goes to show you what 21 years of loyalty gets you…A big stab in the back!

Exactly! People saying he wanted to be the star is ridiculous, and shows just how bitter they really are, if that is what they took from this mans interview. GH wanted him there, which is why they wanted the fly-in schedule, SB wanted to leave. In the end he wins, because he got the schedule he wanted, he left on his terms, and hes now at a top rated soap opera, with talented actors. Even better he’s been introduced to the large fans base of Y&R the same ones wouldn’t touch GH if you paid them.

@ Peyton! I agree!! I hope McBain & Sam NEVER happen. I like for Jason to return and for Sam & Jason to reunite, if she has to move on I would like for her to be with a man that shows emotions and doesn’t abandon their child like Mcbain. Mcbain & Sam share way too many scenes together, something I have NEVER seen on a soap. When you on a soap they put you in scenes w/ many of the cast memebers, not the same person all the time. They are to busy thinking about Kelly & Michael chemistry. Steve & Kelly had constant drama and angst and RC/FV gives KeMo/Michael the Caleb s/l it that the only he think of for them, my goodness.

Wonderful, candid interview. I have much respect and admiration for Steve Burton. He spoke graciously, truthfully and from the heart. Thank you so much for the interview and letting Steve set the record straight.

I’m a fan of Steve’s who will and has followed him on his new path at Y&R. He’s doing amazing work and I’m proud to be a fan of his.

Will all do respect. i belive steve’s comments regarding GH on why he left gh, y&r , his love for JFP ect… is a load of crap. most of his comments were cocky…(it’s always someone elses fault, right steve!?!) im all for steve moving on good for him Congrats steve…well who knows FV & RC will prob find a much better “jason” everyone can be replaced, including Steve himself.
P.S RC & FV please for the love of god recast “jason”

What purpose would that serve? RC/FV writing of JaSam isn’t the best so to recast and throw another actor in the mix so that they can mess them up further? Just no. Leave it as it is and if for any reason Steve is available to return and if Kelly is still on they can continue JaSam. I see no need to carry on their story without both of the original actors who have played the story together for the last 9 years. Steve and Kelly’s last scenes portraying JaSam were great. Just leave it alone

Great interview. T miss Jason and JaSam but enjoying Dylan on Y&R (started watching when Steve moved). Steve felt the same way I did about their writing under the new regime but bless them Steve and Kelly made the most of what they were given to work with for the fans. Wish him the best on Y&R but will always be rooting for a JaSam and Daniel reunion one day.

I totally respect Steve’s decision to do what’s best for his family. What he did is not different than anyone that worked a regular corporate job would have done. If one “company” does not give you the offer that you want (the fly in deal) and another one does, you go with company B. Best of luck to you Steve!

Well Mike, good for you. I bet you just love the whole vampire crap. GH will sink without Jason, he is such an intricate part of most of the charaters on GH. You are a hater and a sell-out. He has been loyal to GH for 21 years, obviously you are a bandwagoner. Remember, GH won best Daytime Drama last year, mob and all. Peace out!

well Jason will be missed he is doing great on yr if they would of told the truth why he was leaving gh that would of been good but they lied so hey I think its great Jason moved on if they cant tell the truth to the viewers what lies did they string Jason with well good for you Jason your taking yr to a new level and I love yr

How many more “damage control” interviews is this guy gonna do? He’s still trying to explain himself. For me, I don’t believe a word he says anymore. Steve: Some fans are pissed. Live with it. Enough already.

Steve going through the motions of negotiating with FV was just for show.. Even if FV would have offered Steve the MOON to stay with GH, Steve’s mind was already made up and he had no intention of making any deal to stay on GH for two reasons;

Dislike of Valentini (never liked the way he was running things over at GH)

Jill Phelps (Steve knew in July where he was going when she started at Y&R)

More family time and moving to TN had absolutely nothing to do with him leaving. Valentini was the reason. Steve did not like FV, didn’t want to work for and take orders from him. Stop with the family excuse already. If family was soooo important he would not be back working in L.A. again with his family in TN.

At Kelly’s fan event over the weekend she flat out said that it was the regime change that made him not want to be there anymore.

Steve mentioned he worked 5 days a week at GH. That’s not true. When the new regime took over, he never worked/taped 5 days a week on GH. None of the actors work/tape 5 days a week at GH. Their budget would never allow that.

Steve has the same schedule on Y&R as he did on GH except now he’s working in L.A. for Y&R instead of GH and now his family is hundreds of miles away in TN. He is not working 2 days a week at Y&R and spending the rest of the week with his family.

“The whole thing happened with Jill so fast.” Come on, Businessman Burton does not do fast deals. This deal was talked about way before he gave notice to FV he was leaving and TV Guide finally got wind of it. Is Burton gonna leave GH with nothing in the works to support his wife and kids?

I could go on and on with half truths and contradictions. Steve, just shut up already.

Hey, that’s my opinion…if you don’t like it. Don’t read my post. It became an essay because he can’t stop explaining himself again and again on TV and in the mags. Yea, his explanations have become a joke.

Yeah glad SBu is on Y&R now. Y&R is much better than GH…and SBu honestly owes NO ONE an explanation. If he quit GH because he just “wanted” to, it’s nobody’s business but his own. The man has a family that he needs to take care of, financially as well as with his time. I don’t get why people find it so hard to believe that the man was tired of working allll that extra time and basically unable to commute. It all checks out. He’s doing GREAT work at Y&R, but he’s not on everyday. He’s a much lighter character, and he’s fitting in with everyone over there.
Some of the GH fans just seem bitter that this guy has moved on to a more successful and better written soap. It is what it is. It’s a win-win. GH is better without Jason being on everyday, Y&R is back to being the greatest soap on air again, and SBu gets to stretch his acting chops again. So what is the big deal? He’s not there anymore…I find GH more entertaining without him. So congrats to EVERYONE! The reason for him leaving his been explained, and some people just refuse to believe it simply because he left GH. The guy has no loyalty to anything except his family….the way it SHOULD be.

Its upsetting that he left GH right before finding out the truth about his son. I understand why he left, but was surprised to find out he is on another soap. I have been watching GH for almost 40 years! As much as I miss him, I will not watch a different soap. I think GH has made some stupid decisions starting when they killed off Robin. Its been downhill since then.Bringing the OLTL cast over was crazy! This vampire storyline is ridiculous. All the characters returning from the past doesnt make up for the losses. Especially when you know they are not staying. There only there because of the 50th anniversary. So as a devoted GH fan, I can only hope that one day Jason will walk back into Sam’s life (and you know it WILL happen as it always does) just as her life goes on…

I really liked this interview. I think it gave viewers of Y&R, & GH insight to what Steve has been wanting to say for months. I too have stopped watching GH and have now been watching Y&R and I have to say that it is a great soap and I will continue to follow Steve in what ever else he does. I’m really liking his character and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for him and Dylan.

Nice interview. I also watched him and Josh Morrow on the Skype thing they did. That was so much fun to watch with Steve’s little laughing jag about the drink he had to make for “Nick” and that it was Pink, not something a tough army guy would make and he couldn’t stop laughing, it was funny. I’m so glad he joined my show Y&R. I am loving his character and always can’t wait for the next day to watch. Thanks for blessing us fans with your talent.

I am a loyal GH and Y&R Fan! I was so upset when Jason was shot and pushed in the harbor! Kept waiting for him to show up being help hostage somewhere but it Never happened! Then I hear about him coming to Y&R and I’m so excited to know he will be on one of my soaps again. I liked Jason’s character better than Dylans but I will get use to him too! I Don’t like Avery, Sharon or Phyllis so I hope he gets someone else as a love interest like Abby or Chelsie or even a cougar like Ashley, haha. I have a feeling he’s getting with Phyllis, which will get to Avery and Nick and will devastate Jack since him and Phyllis just hooked up Again! Either way I’m just glad to have him back on air to Look at! Oh, and I can handle John and Todd coming from OLTL but Never have liked Star’s character.

Well I for one, hope Dylan and Sharon end up in bed ASAP! I love their chemistry and I’m dying to see Steve shirtless again with his newly ripped up abs. Sharon seems like a fiesty character and that’s the type of woman I picture Dylan with, and Faye I agree with you on the whole Abby pairing, she seems bad ass too. I do not like Chelsea and Phyllis and Avery just seems kinda boring, AKA: Elizabeth from GH! I think the problem I’m having is that I can only picture Steve Burton with someone like Kelly Monaco, it’s going to be impossible to beat Jason and Sam. I watch GH and Y&R, so I was a happy camper when I found out Steve wasn’t leaving Daytime for good. It’s easier seeing him play a different character then it is watching Kelly playing Sam without Jason. Let’s just say it’s been a rough 4 months for this Jasam fan watching GH. PS I HATE the MCUGLY/Sam pairing, she is way to cute and bad ass for a lame, long haired, scary voiced, boring cop, Yuck!

I would like to say I AM GLAD YOUR GONE FROM GH. THE WRITERS THERE HAVE ALL GONE MAD. BESIDE THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT YO DO WITH YOU. I AM LOOKING FOR SONY TO BE GONE. HE IS NOW A SAPPY MOBSTER. I AM GLAD WHERE YOU ARE NOW. GOOD LUCK.

I think Steve Burton is doing what is best for his family moving out of the La area and moving to Nashville. He new that most of the soaps are going off the air and decided from the offer, that it would be best for hisself and family to take the role on Y & R. Ater all they don’t seem to be going anywhere and he will fit in just fine. I do miss his suits and appearance on the other soap. He is doing a great job on Y & R and hopefully, he and Sharon will hook up and Adam will reunite with Chelsea. About to come on now. Have to catch. That is my view point. Good luck Steve and glad to see you on Y & R.

Jasam were the lowest rated lead couple in the shows 50 year history, they were amazingly sucky. Ratings increased when they were gone, and when their airtime decreased. It didn’t rise on their wedding either. People shouldn’t be mad at him at all lots of people move, change jobs, change majors, change schools, it’s just apart of life that everyone goes through. Besides it’s an added benefit, ratings are good and the parasite of Jason and his butt boil Sam aren’t together both of whom heavily effected rating with the MORE airtime any other character.

Hello. I just think this whole thing stinks. We miss Jason so much and it broke my heart when i found our he lied to all of his fans. He is such an important roll on GH to a lot of ppl I’m still very upset he’s gone but what i want to know if he ever plans to return? If so I’d feel a little better but I miss him so much I can’t stand JOHN/SAM crap she has so much more chemistry with jason and he is just a great actor and the way they let him go was lame. Off the peir ok like Jason couldnt have survied idk just lame lame lame I miss you come back and be with Sam and Danny right when you get your son in your life you have to leave. JASAM fans have been waiting for years to see this happy couple. Ughhh I have tears in my eyes now just thinking about it

If NBCs Days can let Eileen Davison return to Y&Rs 40th ON CBS(I KNOW SONY OWNS Y&R AND DOOL) i see no reason why they couldnt allow Steve to make one brief trip to GH 4 their 50th, thats if all parties invovled would agree and wanted to do it.

I’ll give Steve Burton one compliment: He’s one helluva shit talker. lol. I bet a bunch of people read this and went immediately bought everything he spout off. However, I find it extremely difficult to believe that GH could not work with his schedule, though Y&R could. Firstly, under Frank and Ron many actors have come on, working around difficult schedules- for example, Kimberly Mccullough who left the show and explicitly said she would not be coming back for awhile has been brought on several times, working around her directing schedule, thanks to Frank. Also, Anders Hove, who has a career in another country! So I don’t buy that GH couldn’t work around his precious schedule, especially when he’s been on almost every day since he started on Y&R (much like the Guza/Phelps years at GH), but on GH, it’s an ensemble show and he wouldn’t be on nearly that much, which contradicts with what he says in this interview. Oh well, it doesn’t matter- GH is thriving lately, both in content and ratings, while Y&R continues to be a bore so I guess if that’s where he’d rather be, all the luck to him.

Have to agree….he is one helluva shit talker. Examples: Monavie, 90 day challenge, etc. Anything for a buck. IMO Steve demanded certain perks that he knew Valentini would not give him. So he used this excuse when he left. HE wanted out, not the other way around. He knew where he was going the minute Jill went to Y&R last July. He waited until his contract was up and then took off for three months before back to work on Y&R.

Steve Burton is a wonderful addition to the Y&R. He made a decision that was best for him and his family, so he has no reason to apologize to anyone. He wanted to move on, and that was his decision. I am so happy he is on my favorite soap now, and I’m really look forward to everything the show is going to bring us. Oh, and please don’t stop wearing black Steve, because you look marvelous in it.

I wish people would just accept that actors have jobs like everyone else. If a job stops working for you sometimes you have to make a decision that will work better got your life I recently left a job that was not working for me and never looked back. I now can spend more time with my family and that’s what is important. There are not enough people left who care more about their family then their jobs. Life is too short to not go for what makes you happy. Shame on all of Steve’s fans for not supporting his choices. Kudos to Steve for making his choice! Started watching YR and have enjoyed his work and all of his cast mates. Excellent writing and story lines! Stop dissing and grow-up fans!

Loved Steve Burton on GH………..love him on Y&R!!! Will follow him to any show!!! I was devastated when I found out he was leaving GH but the first day he was on Y&R all that went away. We have him back again, I am happy, he is happier, his family is happier and all is well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even though I will ALWAYS HAVE ISSUE with Jill Farren Phelps (that so-called new Executive Producer at Y&R) for VERY UNFAIRLY getting rid of BOTH Genie Francis and (especially!!!!!) Debbi Morgan, I think that Steve Burton is such an AWESOME addition to the Y&R cast!!!!! More and more, Dylan and Chelsea are BEYOND MAGICAL together!!!!! Adam is such an arrogant and two-faced idiot. For all I care, Adam can go and crawl back to Sharon. Sharon…who (off and on) acts like such a needy nitwit…LOL!!!!! One last thing: Anita (that con artist mother of Chelsea’s) needs to mind her own business and leave poor Chelsea alone. Chelsea (and her unborn baby) deserve to be TRULY HAPPY…and Dylan is clearly THE ONE to make Chelsea and her baby happy. Period. Unlike Adam…who had his chance (or chances) to make Chelsea happy and stupidly blew it (time and time again) by running back to Sharon. Pathetic.

Steve’s gotta do what he’s gotta do. I loved the reception CBS gave him. Also, there is no loyalty on soaps. Look what they did to Stuart Damon! So, Steve owed them nothing other than fulfilling his contract – and if GH business reps couldn’t resign him – too bad for them. But they did leave the door wide open for a future Jason return. I never like Jill either. She and Guza ruined GH by focusing too much on Jason and the mob in my opinion. I stopped watching for eight years or more. However, with the new crew – its not completely on track yet. But, at least I’ve had a few laughs again. The storylines are not original even for a soap, there’s been some respect to history – but they need to bring some of the old players back and have matriarchs and patriarchs like they did in the old days. also, they have not found a groove with new pairings – either love or friend. Its not a bad show by any means, but not the great show it was years ago either (pre Guza and Phelps) either.